Finally it is back again on popular demand: Traveltomtom Group Trip.
Exactly a year after my first group trip to Iceland, I am excited to announce that I will host another group trip and this time we are going to Africa! Where exactly? NAMIBIA!
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Namibia is one of the few countries in Africa I have actually visited. Back in 2018 I backpacked around the country for a little over 2 weeks and remember it as one of the best trips of 2018.
When deciding on which destination to pick for my group trip, it was Namibia that popped up in my mind first!
My trip was such a blast, I woke up with a smile and went to bed with a smile. The adventures kept on coming, it just didn’t seem to stop. And that is what Traveltomtom is all about: ADVENTURE!
When will the Traveltomtom Group Trip take place?
April 1st, 2021 is when I will be welcoming everyone in Namibia.
How long?
We will be touring in Namibia for 10 days!
Where does the tour start?
The Traveltomtom Group trip will start in the capital of Namibia, Windhoek and will also end in Windhoek.
Travel restrictions Namibia
At the moment travelers arriving in Namibia will need to show a negative PCR test taken 7 days prior to arrival into the country. This is likely to change over time, we never know. But you will be informed by me prior to the start of the tour.
Negative PCR test traveling back to your country
As almost every country these days require a negative PCR test to go back home, we have
PCR tests are at your own expense! More about insurance later.
Group size
For logistical reasons there is a maximum of 10 people I can take with me on the Traveltomtom Namibia Group Trip.
Transportation
We will be traveling Namibia with a big 4x4 safari vehicle with AC and a pop-up roof the whole trip.
Accommodation type
There is the option for a single room (single room fee aaplicable), but accommodation during the trip is based on sharing twin rooms. Pairs will be formed voluntarily during the trip, solo travelers MORE THAN WELCOME!
We will be staying overnight in style! See below for photos of the accommodation, there are some really amazing once included.
Are meals included?
Yes, most of the meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner (B,L,D) will be included throughout the tour. When not it will be stated below in the itinerary.
The Traveltomtom Group Trip Namibia Itinerary
Day 1: Windhoek
On arrival at Windhoek International Airport you will be collected and transferred into the city to our accommodation. Windhoek is the capital of Namibia.
We will be staying in a twin room with en-suite bathroom at Chameleon Backpackers. On our first day meals are at your own expenses. Chameleon Backpackers has a pool and ice cold beers! Cheers to the start of the trip!
Dinner is a great opportunity to get to know each other.
Optional Activities: City & Township Tour. Depending of course on arrival times of the group members into Windhoek.
Day 2: Etosha National Park (B,L,D)
We will start the day early and meet our tour guide for the next 7 days around 7:30am and will head towards one of Namibia’s highlights: Etosha National Park.
Along the road we will be stopping to for some supplies for the next days for our road trip.
Upon arrival in Etosha National Park we kick of with a game drive in the park visiting waterholes. Expect to see: zebras, giraffes, elephants, rhinos, antelopes and if you are lucky some big cats. We will spend the night inside Etosha National Park at Halali Camp.
There is a flood-lit waterhole 5 minutes walk from your room. When I was there I sat there for hours in silence with a group of people watching animals sneaking out of the bushes to come drink at the waterhole.
Accommodation: Halali Camp
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Included Activities: Guided game drives in safari vehicle
Day 3: Etosha National Park (B,L,D)
Breakfast is served early as we head out for sunrise for another game drive, hoping to catch a glimpse of the predators in the park: lions, leopards, cheetahs.
The game drive through the park will lead us from one waterhole to another and end up at the impressive Etosha Pan “great white place”, a 4500 sq km salt flat. We can get out of the safari vehicle here to experience this unique geological phenomenon.
We arrive back at Halali Camp where our guide will prepare lunch while we can cool off in the pool or visit the nearby waterhole again. After lunch our final game drive through Etosha National Park is scheduled before we head out to towards Okaukuejo and experience a magical sunset in Etosha National Park.
Accommodation tonight is just outside Etosha National Park in the very nice and spacious twin share rooms with a modern en-suite bathroom facilities.
Dinner at Etosha Village was one of the best buffets I experienced on my trip in Namibia with bbq meat from zebra, antelope, etc.
Accommodation: Etosha Village
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Included Activities: Guided game drives in safari vehicle
Day 4: Spitzkoppe (B,L,D)
After breakfast we continue our Namibia trip south to meet Namibia’s unique tribes people: Himba, Damara and Herero. Our knowledgable guide will explain all about these tribes and we will stop along the road to visit their small markets where they sell their handmade souvenirs.
It is a bit touristy, but a great way to learn a little about these people and how they live. Bargain with them for authentic Namibia souvenirs to bring home.
Final destination of the day is Spitzkoppe Mountain Camp. After check in there is free time to explore the area on foot or a little hike to a nice sunset spot.
Tonight is also an amazing opportunity for nighttime photography. Im happy to help, although Im not an expert on the field either. I know how to photoshop a starry sky into a photo though! :)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Optional Activities: Guided Bushmen’s Paradise tour at Spitzkoppe Lodge
Day 5: Swakopmund (B)
An easy morning at Spitzkoppe Lodge before we head towards Swakopmund. We will drive along the scenic coastal road and stop at a shipwreck.
We will arrive in Swakopmund and check into Hotel a la Mer. Today there is a free afternoon for everyone. Optional activities around Swakopmund are: skydiving, ATV Riding, scenic Flight over Skeleton Coast, etc.
Or just explore the super laid-back city of Swakopmund. There is a beach, a big pier, restaurants, coffee places, etc.
Accommodation: Hotel a la Mer
Meals: Breakfast
Optional Activities: skydiving, ATV riding, scenic flight, sand boarding, etc.
Day 6: Namib Desert (B,L,D)
Free morning to sleep in, go skydiving or whatever… leaving Swakopmund by 12:00.
Today we meet the famous Namib Desert and its amazing scenery: the Kuiseb Pass and Solitaire,.
Before sunset we arrive at Desert Quiver Camp, a unique location in the Namib Desert with an infinity pool where we will stay 2 nights.
Climb to the top of the rock for an incredible sunset over the Naukluft mountain range.
Dinner is prepared by our guide, there is a bar that serve ice cold beers.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 7: Namib Desert (B,D)
We stay 2 nights in this amazing hotel, so no need to pack already.
But we leave early to arrive at the National Park gate before sunrise. Today we visit another Namibia Highlight: Sossusvlei.
We will be hiking up and down sand dunes at your own pace arriving into Dead Vlei. There is no need to hike up sand dunes to get to Dead Vlei, but the views from above are magnificent.
On our way out of the National Park we stop at the famous Dune 45. Climbing to the top is incredible, but optional.
Before heading back to our amazing hotel with infinity pool we stop at the Sesriem Canyon for a short hike through the canyon.
Our guide will prepare dinner while we enjoy the sunset from the pool with beers.
Accommodation Desert Quiver Camp
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
There are no places to stop for lunch during the day so you will have to bring snacks yourself.
Day 8: Back to Windhoek for PCR test (B,L)
Unfortunately I had to included this stop in our itinerary as we probably all need a negative PCR test before to get back into our countries.
From the Namib Desert we will return to Windhoek via Bullsport and Rehoboth in time and we will undergo a PCR test (at your own expense +/- $75).
We will spend the night at Chameleon Backpackers in shared Twin rooms. There is a pool at our accommodation and a bar of course. Dinner is at our own expense.
We also say goodbye to our guide today.
Day 9: Naankuse Wildlife Sanctuary (B,L,D)
After breakfast ewe out to the Naankuse Wildlife Sanctuary, a safe heaven for injured or orphaned animals.
Only animals too ill, abused or habituated remain at the sanctuary, other will be released in the wild. We will spend the afternoon at this luxury lodge. There is a pool available as well as plenty opportunity to join in on activities offered by the sanctuary.
We can choose 1 activity from the list, like: carnivore feeding tour, cheetah experience, baboon experience, rhino feeding, etc. Extra activities are optional ($50).
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 10: Saying Good Bye (B)
Enjoy a last morning breakfast and hang out at Naankuse Lodge before departure to Windhiek International Airport. Airport drop off will be arranged.
Meals: Breakfast
Included:
- Transport in a 4x4 overland safari vehicle, with air-conditioning & pop-up roof
- English speaking guide – 7 days
- Meals as indicated
- National park entry fees
NOT Included:
- Optional activities
- Items of a personal nature
- Water/drinks
- Tips & gratuity
- Anything not stated above
For questions please send me an email: info@traveltomtom.net
Airfare to and from Namibia
Everyone is responsible for their own air travel to and from Namibia, airfare is NOT included in the price.
Best way to find flights to Windhoek is through Google Flights. In case you want to arrive in Windhoek earlier, that is not a problem and arrangements can be made for Airport pick. Extra nights accommodations at your own expense.
Insurance
Everyone will need to take care of their own travel insurance. There are covid related travel and cancellation insurances, I recommend you getting one as I unfortunately can't refund any last minute cancellations as you can understand.
Payment
The full amount will need to be paid by February 20th by bank transfer only. Transfer fees to be paid by the sender.
Down payment
After a confirmation that you are selected you will have to pay a down payment of 20% of the full amount: $400, otherwise your spot will be given to another person.
All payments are NON-REFUNDABLE!
I know these days are uncertain times, but in case of cancellations after down payment or last minute cancellations, payments will NOT be refunded. This is to cover the extra costs due to cancellations. The group trip is based on a set amount of people and therefore I can't refund any cancellations unfortunately.
Those selected for the Traveltomtom group trip will be notified as soon as possible with more info about the payment options.
Be quick, there are more than 200 people in the group trip email list and there are only 10 spots available. Blog readers and people signed up for the email list will have priority.
